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Saturday, 30 April 2016

Captain America: Civil War is more Avengers than Capt, or more superhero rollcall, depending on how you look at it, but it raises a few interesting intellectual ideas.

1. There's an interesting line from Vision, that could be applied to depression and anxiety disorders (and other mental illness). "I wish to understand it. It is part of me, but the more I know, the less it controls me. Who knows, someday I might even control it." If you suffer, or someone you love suffers, get them in a group or talking to someone because the more you understand the beast, the better to tame it.

2. "Victory at the expense of the innocent is no victory at all". There is an underlying theme in the film of accountability. Our modern warfare talks of collateral damage rather than dead people. There's a short conversation that covers foreign policy in the last 2 decades:

'Ironman: I'm doing what needs to be done to stave off something worse.

Capt America: You keep telling yourself that.'

If you think back to the arguments on the WMD prior to the Iraq war, this was more or less the exact conversation going on around the world. It's interesting the film takes a side and keeps asking us to question our position. (or agree with our position).

3, "You're wrong, but you think you're right, and that makes you dangerous." I think this sums up the ACL and their stance against LGBTQI community (and now divorced women - funny they have no issue with the men?). Or fracking, or a myriad of other issues in Australian politics right now. Evil is not necessarily a behaviour on it's own. It's distorted belief that is defended in the name of being right.

4. What follows on from the above, is the call to action for every one of us. "Compromise when you can, but when you can't, don't. If they are telling you what's wrong is right, it's your duty to stand your ground." This speech was longer but I can't remember it all. I think it's pretty good advice though.

5. I liked what they did with Spiderman. I'll be interested how the jury falls on this, but I grew into Spiderman through the cartoon, so the irreverent, chatty Spidey is how I think of him.

6. As an aside, we saw Jungle Book and I find it interesting that both films have a 'United we stand, divided we fall' theme. Not sure what that means in the modern geo-political environment but it must mean something.

8. The most important thing I took away from this, is that while we can't change the past, it's never to late, and it's our own responsibility to "Reframe the Future". That will be my new mantra, as I try to make the world a better place for me, my kids and the world at large (it won't be easy, but why not me? Someone needs to start the change, and if every individual sets to work, imagine how swiftly we can alter the course - be it climate change, poverty, human rights or whatever else we think needs altering.)

9. It's very unsatisfactory to finish a list on 9. But I will, because it's my blog and I can do what I like.

Have you seen it? Do you live in the Marvel Universe? What are your thoughts?

Thursday, 28 April 2016

Mother's Day for me tends to be about my mother and my mother in law, And that's fine. But year after year, I have to come up with gift ideas. I struggle, as it follows on closely after birthdays. So here's a few ideas, if you're also in the same boat, or if you want to celebrate a little differently this year.

1. Traditional gift.

There are a few shops I would head to if I was after something a little different. Daddy, I want a pony & Oxfam for unique little luxuries or if looking online Rafiki Mwema has cute tshirts, bags and even laptop skins.

2. Do something together.

Groupon has been pushing the high teas and massages all week - and they're always a great idea. Or for Sydneysiders, some of these day trips would be fantastic, and you can bring the kids too, so it's winning all round.

3. Remember, it's just another day. There are 364 equally important days of the year to tell your mum you love her. Just because someone put a universal sign on it, doesn't mean you can drop the ball for the next 11 months. Maybe start a tradition of a weekly coffee date,monthly lunch or card, or even lengthy email packed with news and photos. Whatever you aren't doing now, add a new tradition. Make that your Mother's Day gift.

4. If the budget extends to it, plan a girls weekend away. With money no object, I'd pick The Rift, Bowral or at least a trip to the Day Spa at the Langham. Time and attention is the best gift of all.

As you can see, the list is short, so throw me your ideas. What are you giving your Mother/Mother in law this year, and what do you want?

PS I think my RocknRoll adventure was my Mother's Day present. Having fun with the teen, a rare event at the moment.

I've been off the blog for so long, I've forgotten what link ups I do and the names of some of the blogs I like. I've barely written a thing, except one fairly average story for a competition....I'm beginning to wonder if I really have any commitment to this writing lark at all...

On Wednesday I pulled the ultimate decadence and flew to Melbourne to see 21 Pilots - we arrived at 5, had time for a cocktail and dinner then hit the Forum. We were back at the airport at 7am so it really was a flying visit! That said, it felt so special. And having spent the last month traveling with a myriad of kids, and a number of hurdles, it was so liberating to travel with no luggage and only have to remind one person to pack their stuff!

Sunday, 24 April 2016

Still not officially back but a brief post for Wordless Wednesday.
The Little Prince saw and learnt a lot in Vietnam, and the most interesting lessons were that there are 2 sides to every story, even in history, that the world isn't as global as you think, and that tourists are idiots, even when I'm the tourist. (or maybe that should be especially when I'm the tourist).